# Sargento Shredded Cheese, Off The Block, Fine 4 Cheese Mexican > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** SARGENTO - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Dairy - **Size:** 8 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/sargento-shredded-cheese-off-the-block-fine-4-cheese-mexican-8-oz - **Slug:** `sargento-shredded-cheese-off-the-block-fine-4-cheese-mexican-8-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 3** - Processed foods This is a processed food made from pasteurized natural cheeses with added anti-caking agents and a mold inhibitor; ingredients are recognizably cheese-based but include industrial additives used to preserve texture and shelf life, consistent with NOVA group 3. ## Review SARGENTO Shredded Cheese, Off The Block, Fine 4 Cheese Mexican (8 oz) is the kind of refrigerated dairy staple you’ll find on a grocery run for weeknight dinners and weekend fiestas alike. In stores it lives in the chilled cheese section alongside other shredded and block cheeses, near shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and taco-night ingredients like salsa and tortillas. The pack is commonly a resealable plastic pouch that leans on the brand’s “shredded fresh from the block” messaging and family-owned heritage. Occasion-wise this blend is built for tacos, nachos, casseroles, huevos rancheros, quesadillas and quick pasta bakes — any moment when you want authentic, Tex‑Mex flavor without grating your own. Brand positioning skews toward mainstream home cooks who value convenience and perceived naturalness; Sargento markets itself as a third‑generation, family-owned company offering an approachable, slightly premium everyday cheese. Label claims emphasize “natural cheese” and freshness rather than organic or kid‑targeted graphics; no organic certification appears, and the packaging uses straightforward product names rather than playful cartooning. Processing context: these are pasteurized, block cheeses that have been shredded and kept free‑flowing with small amounts of anti-caking agents and a mold inhibitor. Sensory details: the fine-cut shreds melt readily, offering a creamy, mildly tangy profile from Monterey Jack, cheddar, queso quesadilla and Asadero; texture is soft and stringy when melted, slightly powdery dry in the bag from potato starch/powdered cellulose. Rituals around use include sprinkling over tacos, folding into scrambled eggs, layering on nachos, or stirring into warm enchilada sauce for an instant comfort dish. The product sits squarely as a convenient, flavorful dairy option in American refrigerated aisles. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian - Gluten-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 0.25 cup - **Servings per container:** 8 - **Calories:** 110 - **Total fat:** 8g (10% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 5g (25% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 25mg (8% DV) - **Sodium:** 170mg (7% DV) - **Total carbs:** 2g (1% DV) - **Protein:** 6g ## Ingredients Monterey Jack Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto (Vegetable Color)], Queso Quesadilla Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Asadero Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto (Vegetable Color)], Potato Starch and Powdered Cellulose (To Prevent Caking), Natamycin (A Natural Mold Inhibitor). ## Flagged ingredients - **Natamycin** (preservative): Synthetic preservative - **Annatto (Vegetable Color)** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** game-day-prep, weekend-brunch, meal-prep-sunday - **Vibes:** convenient, comforting, nostalgic, practical ## FAQ ### Is the Fine 4 Cheese Mexican healthy? Well, 'healthy' can mean different things to different people, right? This cheese blend provides a decent amount of protein (6g per serving) and is low in sugar, which is great if you’re looking for a tasty topping that won’t spike your sugar levels. However, it does contain some preservatives and artificial coloring, so it might not fit everyone’s definition of healthy. ### Is the Fine 4 Cheese Mexican vegan? Nope, this cheese is definitely not vegan! It’s made from real dairy, including Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses, which means it’s packed with that creamy goodness but won’t work for plant-based diets. If you’re looking for a vegan cheese alternative, you might want to explore some nut-based options. ### Is the Fine 4 Cheese Mexican gluten-free? Yes, you’re in the clear here! Sargento’s Fine 4 Cheese Mexican is gluten-free, making it a great choice for anyone with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. Just double-check the packaging for any updates, as formulations can change. ### Does the Fine 4 Cheese Mexican contain seed oils? Nope, this one doesn’t have any seed oils. Instead, it relies on good old cheese and a bit of potato starch and powdered cellulose to keep things from clumping together. So you can enjoy it without worrying about those often-controversial oils! ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, you won’t find any artificial sweeteners in Sargento’s Fine 4 Cheese Mexican. It’s all about that cheesy flavor without any added sugars or sugar substitutes. Just good, wholesome cheese goodness! ### Is the Fine 4 Cheese Mexican high in sugar? Not at all! This cheese blend is low in sugar, with zero added sugars, which means you can sprinkle it on your tacos or nachos without worrying about sneaky sugars sneaking into your meal. Cheese is naturally low in sugar, so it keeps things savory! ### What are healthier alternatives to the Fine 4 Cheese Mexican? If you’re looking for healthier alternatives, consider options like fresh mozzarella or cottage cheese for a protein boost without the preservatives. You could also explore dairy-free cheese products made from nuts or soy, which can offer different flavors and health benefits depending on your dietary needs. ### Can kids eat the Fine 4 Cheese Mexican? Absolutely, kids can enjoy this cheese blend! It’s a great source of calcium and protein, which are important for growing kiddos. Just keep an eye on portion sizes, as with any cheese, to balance it out with other healthy foods in their diet. ### Is the Fine 4 Cheese Mexican good for weight loss? It can be part of a weight loss plan, especially if you’re using it to add flavor to healthier dishes without loading up on carbs or sugars. Just remember that cheese is calorie-dense, so moderation is key. Pair it with veggies or whole grains for a balanced meal! ### Is the Fine 4 Cheese Mexican ultra-processed? While it’s not the most natural option out there, it’s not entirely ultra-processed either. It contains preservatives and some artificial coloring, but it’s primarily made from real cheese. Context matters here — if you’re enjoying it occasionally as part of a balanced diet, it’s totally fine! ## Related products - [Byrne Half & Half](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/byrne-dairy-half-half-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/byrne-dairy-half-half-16-oz - [Stonyfield Organic Milk, Reduced Fat 2%](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/stonyfield-farm-organic-milk-reduced-fat-2-64-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/stonyfield-farm-organic-milk-reduced-fat-2-64-oz - [Tuscan Skim Milk, Quart](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/tuscan-dairy-farms-skim-milk-quart-32-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/tuscan-dairy-farms-skim-milk-quart-32-oz - [Fage 0% Greek Yogurt](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/fage-0-greek-yogurt-32-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/fage-0-greek-yogurt-32-oz - [Tuscan Fat Free Milk, Half Gallon](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/tuscan-dairy-farms-fat-free-milk-half-gallon-64-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/tuscan-dairy-farms-fat-free-milk-half-gallon-64-oz - [Chobani Greek Yogurt, Non-Fat, Vanilla Blended](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/chobani-greek-yogurt-non-fat-vanilla-blended-530-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/chobani-greek-yogurt-non-fat-vanilla-blended-530-oz - [Horizon Organic Milk, Whole](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/horizon-organic-milk-whole-64-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/horizon-organic-milk-whole-64-oz - [Fairlife Fat Free Milk](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/fairlife-fat-free-milk-52-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/fairlife-fat-free-milk-52-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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